Analysis of the evolutionarily conserved repeat motifs in the genome of the highly endangered central Indian swamp deer Cervus duvauceli branderi

Abstract

We have analyzed the genome of central Indian swamp deer Cervus duvauceli branderi, an inhabitant of the Kanha National Park, a wildlife conservatory in Central India, with a view to provide a genetic basis for their extinction. Evolutionarily conserved repeat sequence motifs (GATA)_3.75, TA(GATA)₄, (GACA)_3.75, (TGG)₆ and a set of mouse β-actin primers were used to uncover the sequence variation within and between related species by employing techniques of hybridization and AP-PCR amplification. The oligo probe carrying the GACA and TGG repeat motifs was found to be positive with Cervus genome, whereas (GATA)_3.75, TA(GATA)₄ and β-actin probes did not cross-hybridize with the same. AP-PCR amplification with (GACA)3.75, unlike the (TGG)₆ primer, generated distinct bands in the range of 0.37-2.10 kb amongst different genomes including Cervus. A comparative genome analysis of other species using the AP-PCR approach with (GACA)_3.75 primer revealed the phylogenetic status of Cervus duvauceli branderi. From the analysis of a very limited number of Cervus DNA samples, we observed a high level of genetic homogeneity that may be a prime reason for the extinction of this species. This study has implications in the context of conservation of this endangered Cervus duvauceli branderi species.